Packing-case for bottled goods and the like.



P. RUHNAU. PACKING CASE FOR BOTTLED GOODS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.24, 1908.

Patented Feb. 25, 1913.

jweworx to improvements in metal boxes, crates or FRANK RUHNAU, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

PACKING-CASE FOR BOTTLED GOODS AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 25,1913.

Application filed February 24; mos. Serial No. 417,606.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK RUHNAU, a subject of the German Empire, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Packing-Cases for Bottled Goods and the Like, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part thereof.

This invention relates more particularly cases for packing, storing, delivering and shipping bottled beverages or goods contained in bottles, jars, cans or the like. Its main objects are to provide cases for this purpose which are light, strong and durable, which can be conveniently handled andwhich cannot be conveniently used for other goods or. purposes than those for which they are designed; and generally to improve the construction of devices of this class.

It consists in the construction, arran e ment and combination of parts as hereinafter particularly described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing like characters designate the same parts in the several figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a packing case embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the method of forming the several parts of the case from a single piece of sheet metal; Fig. 3 is a cross section of the case; and Fig. 4 is a detail view in perspective of the cross strip or bar for centrally connecting the ends of the case, and forming a cover seat or jamb and handle.

The body of the case com rises a perforated bottom a, perforate shelves or spacing racks 6, connecting side strips or sections 0, and end sections d, all formed in one piece of sheet metal, as shown in Fig. 2. The sides of the blank from which the case is made are bent to form flanges e, along the upper edge of one of the lower side sections 0 and along the lower edge of the upper side section 0 on the opposite side of the case, and these flanges are soldered or otherwise attached to the lower shelf or spacing rack b, as shown in Figs. and

The end Sections d, which are formed in, tegrally with the bottom a of the case, are

preferably rolled, beaded or flanged along their side and top edges to stifien and strengthen them, and in their top edges which extend above the upper shelf or rack b, is rolled a rod or wire f, which extends across the sides of the case, binding the ends together at the top and stiffening the structure as well as serving as means for hinging the lids or covers to the sides of the case, as hereinafter explained. The upper shelf or rack b is formed at the ends with ears 9, which are inserted through slits h in the ends of the case and bent in opposite directions against the outer faces of the ends, as shown in Fig. 1.

A strip or bar z', whichmay be conveniently made of two metal bands or strips of heavy sheet metal placed face to face as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, is inserted through slots 7' in the ends (i just below their wired upper edges, and the ends of the componentsections of the strip or bar are bent in opposits directions against the outer faces of the ends of the case This strip or bar 2' which serves as a jambor rest for the lids or doors to close against and also may serve as a handle for lifting and carrying the case with one hand, is formed with a central elongated opening 70, in which is pivoted a T-shaped latch Z, formed at the ends of its cross piece with hooks or catches m, the lower band or section of the strip or bar 2' being bent downwardly to receive and form pivot bearings for the cross piece of the latch. The stem of the latch, which serves as a handle therefor and which fits in closing partially into the opening k, is reduced in thickness at its outer or free end and formed with a hole n to register with a hole 0 in the strip or bar 2' for sealing the latch in its locked position with the lids or covers closed. The strip or bar 2' is formed adjacent to the hole 0 with a lar er hole p, to receive and protect the seal which connects the ends of the wire passing throughthe holes n and 0, so that the seal will not he accidentally broken or detached by contact with other cases or articles.

The strip or bar 11 is provided with han dles q having parallel stems passing loosely all case and between its ends (5, are hinged lids or covers 1 which may be made of sheet metal as shown, and rolled at then outer edges around said rod or wire so as to close at their inner edges against the strip or bar and when opened, to hang loosely down over the openings in the sides of the case above the upper shelf or rack 1). Adjaccnt to their edges opposite their hinges, the lids or doors 1' are formed with holes a. which are arranged to autonnitically engage with the hooks in of the latch 1 when the lids or covers are closed, the ends of the hooks being located on the opposite side of the latch pivots from the stem or handle Z, the weight of which throws the hooks into engagement with the holes a of the lids or doors when they are closed.

When the case is set up, as shown in F 1 and}, the openings in the shelves or racks t are in vertical alinement to receive and hold bottles or the like, out of contact with one another while the holes in the bottom (2 are out of alinementwith the holes in said shelves or racks, thus permitting any litter or foreign matter which may get into the case, to freely escape while the bottles or the like rest upon the connecting parts of the bottom between the holes therein.

'lthc sides of the case above the upper shelf or rack 6 being open, and the shelves or racks being integral with other parts of the case so that they cannot be removed, it is impracticable to use the case, except for the class of articles for which it. is intended, so that it less apt to be misappropriated or diverted from its intended use.

While for shipment to distant places, the lids or covers will ordinarily he closed and sealed to prevent abstraction of or interference with the contents of the case, for local delivery they may be left open, hanging loosely at the sides of the case out of the way; or when the case is made for local delivery or use, the lids or covers may be altogether omitted.

Various changes in details of construction may be made without departing from the principle and intended scope of the invention.

ll claim:

1. A packing case for bottled goods and the like, comprising a bottom, a perforated shelf or spacing rack above and parallel with the bottom, and connecting side see a longitudinal flange which is fastened to the adjacent: side of said shelf or rack.

2. a packing case for bottled goods and the li re, comprising abottom, perforated shelves or spacing racks arranged one above r l l Location another parallel with the bottom, and coir necting side sections, all made in one piece of sheet metal, one of the side sections on each side of the case being formed with a longitudinal flange which is fastened to the adjacent side of the lower shelf or rack.

8. A packing case for bottled goods and the like, comprising a bottom, end sections formed with transverse slits, perforated shelves or spacing racks arranged one above another parallel with the bottom, and connecting side sections, all formed of sheet metal in one piece, one of the side sections on each side of the case being formed with a longitudinal flange which is permanently secured to the adjacent side of the lower shelf or rock, and one of the shelves or racks being formed at the endswith car which are inserted in said slits and bent back against the ends of the case.

4:. A packing case for bottled goods and the like, comprising a bottom, perforated shelves or spacing racks arranged one above another parallel with the bottom, and con necting side sections, all made in one piece of sheet metal, the lower shelf or rack being integral on one side with the lower side section on that side of the case and peanently attached on. the opposite side to the other lower side section, and the upper shelf or rack being integral with the two upper side sections, one of which is permanently attached to that side of the lower shelf or rack which is integral with one of the lower side sections,

5. i packing case for bottled goods and the like, comprising a bottom, a perforated shelf or spacing rack above and parallel with the bottom, and end and side sections,

all formed of sheet metal in one piece, the

end sections being integrally joined with the ends of the bottom and extending above the shelf or rack and one of the side sec tions being formed with a longitudinal flange which is secured to said shelf or raclr, and a re or wire reinforcing and connecting the upper edges of the end sec tions.

c. A packing case for bottled goods and the like, comprising a perforated bottom, a perforated shelf or spacing rack above and parallel with the bottom and having holes for bottles and the like out of alinement with the holes in the bottom, end and side sections all formed of sheet metal in one piece, the end sections being integrally joined with the ends of the bottom and entending above said shelf or rack and the tions, all made in one piece of sheet metal, a one of the side sections being termed with sides of the case being open above said shelf or root; and a reinforcing rod or wire span NJ.

ning the sides of the case connecting the upper edges of the end sections,

'3'. A packing case for bottled goods and the like, comprising a bottom, a perforated shelf or spacing rack above and parallel All ltltl ltd with the bottom, end and side sections, all formed of sheet metal in one piece, the end sections extending above said shelf or rack and being reinforced and connected at their upper edges by a rod or Wire spanning the sides of the case, and lids or covers hinged on said rod or wire so as to close the top of the case when swung inwardly, and to hang out of the way at the sides of thecase when swung outwardly.

8. A packing case for bottled goods and the like, comprising a bottom, a perforated shelf or spacing rack above and arallel with the bottom, and connecting side sections, all formed in one piece of sheet metal, end pieces extending above the shelf or rack, a strip or bar extending across the upper part of the case from end to end and provided with a latch, and lids or covers hinged to the upper part of the case at the sides thereof and adapted to close against said strip or bar and to be fastened thereto by said latch.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this s ecification, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses, this 16th day of October 1907.

FRANK RUHNAU.

Witnesses PETER PFISTER, MAX ROTHER. 

